Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Jets: Preview, Prediction, Live Stream & more
By Matt Shetler
Key Matchup:
Sep 16, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau walks the sidelines before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Dick LeBeau vs. Geno Smith
It’s a stat that Smith has probably heard all week but LeBeau is 15-2 against rookie quarterbacks in his time as the Steelers’ defensive coordinator. Of course those 15 wins came with a defense that was intimidating and making big plays. For a rookie Smith isn’t just mobile but has great pocket presence.
It’s all about which Smith shows up. If LeBeau doesn’t have anything up his sleeve for the rookie and Smith has a game like he did last Monday when he completed 16-of-20 passes, tossed three touchdowns and didn’t throw an interception for the first time in his career, then the Jets win.
However if LeBeau can find ways to frustrate Smith and confuse him, maybe Smith will add to his league high 11 turnovers, including eight interceptions, then the Steelers likely get their first win. Rookie quarterbacks have thrown 19 interceptions in those 17 games against LeBeau, so if this Steelers team could actually find a way to make a big play, history is on their side.
Prediction: It’s hard to find ways that would suggest the Steelers should win this game, but given the short week for the Jets and LeBeau’s record against rookie quarterbacks, I’m going with the Steelers in a very ugly game. They can’t lose them all can they? Steelers 20, Jets 16